Electrical Fault Detection Module Layout for Lower Joule Losses

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrical fault detection modules suffer from high dissipated power due to the arrangement of measuring cores and line conductors, and electromagnetic radiation interferes with the breaking chamber of circuit breakers, disrupting the movement of electric arcs.

Innovation Solution

The module is configured with a differential fault measuring toroid and an electric arc fault measuring torus positioned within a connection compartment, while the electronic unit and measuring cores are outside the compartment, reducing line lengths and minimizing electromagnetic interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the first and second measuring cores are aligned with their longitudinal axes parallel and offset by less than 10 millimeters to reduce housing size, then the device compactness is improved, but the dissipated power increases due to significant line conductor length

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehousing sizeVSAvoiddissipated power
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the housing into two distinct compartments: a connection compartment containing the measuring cores and connection terminals, and an electronic compartment containing the electronic unit. This segmentation allows the measuring cores to be positioned close to the connection terminals (reducing line length and dissipated power) while keeping the electronic unit separate, thus resolving the contradiction between compactness and energy loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If the measuring cores are arranged with significant line conductor length to accommodate electronic components, then the device functionality is improved, but the electromagnetic radiation disturbs the electric arc movement in the breaking chamber

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection functionalityVSAvoidelectromagnetic radiation interference
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the electronic unit from the connection compartment and places it in a separate electronic compartment. This extraction removes the source of electromagnetic radiation (the electronic unit with significant line conductors) from proximity to the breaking chamber, thereby eliminating the harmful electromagnetic interference with electric arc movement while preserving the detection functionality in the connection compartment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of operation

If the line conductors are made longer to accommodate electronic components outside, then the electronic unit placement flexibility is improved, but the Joule losses increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectronic unit placement flexibilityVSAvoidJoule losses
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the housing into connection and electronic compartments, the patent enables the electronic unit to be placed in the electronic compartment close to the breaking chamber, while the measuring cores remain in the connection compartment near the connection terminals. This segmentation provides placement flexibility for the electronic unit without requiring long line conductors, thus reducing Joule losses.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This configuration reduces Joule losses and electromagnetic radiation, enhancing the detection of electrical faults by minimizing dissipated powers and maintaining the integrity of the breaking chamber.

Implementation Method 1

a toroid for measuring a differential fault crossed by the first electrical line and the second electrical line

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a torus for measuring an electric arc fault crossed preferably only by the first electrical line

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation detection: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 3

the dissipated power is high due to the length of the first line conductor and the second line conductor, which is significant

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentEP4435829B1Additional module for detecting an electrical fault and electrical protection assembly including such an additional module for detecting an electrical fault
Publication Date: 2025.08.20 HAGER ELECTRO SAS
  • EP4435829B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4435829B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4435829B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to an additional electrical fault detection module (1) comprising: a housing, a differential fault measuring toroid (12), an arc fault measuring toroid (13), an electronic unit (14), the housing comprising a connection compartment (15) housing the first output connection terminal (4) and the second output connection terminal, characterized in that the differential fault measuring toroid (12) is contained in the connection compartment (15) and in that the electronic unit (14) and where applicable the arc fault measuring toroid (13), are disposed in the housing outside the connection compartment (15).